Town mourns Father Kerrigan

Sandy Meindersma CORRESPONDENT

Published Thursday February 21, 2013 at 6:00 am

Father James Kerrigan was pastor of St. Patrick’s Church, but in many ways he was father to the entire town.

So much so that it was members of the neighboring First Congregational Church who served the coffee and baked goods during Father Kerrigan’s wake, which was held at St. Patrick’s Church last night. His funeral is today, beginning at 11 a.m.

For nearly 24 years Father Kerrigan served as pastor of St. Patrick’s Church, a place he loved, and where he was loved in return. He died on Friday at the age of 69.

“He was the most nonjudgmental person — he really met people where they were at,” Paula Stidsen said. “He really fostered the ecumenical spirit in town. The churches do the food pantry together and the CROP walk.”

Monsignor Thomas Sullivan of the Worcester Diocese said Father Kerrigan had a very special relationship with the people he served, and he admired Father Kerrigan for how he handled his declining health.

“People just loved him,” Monsignor Sullivan said. “He carried the cross of poor health for 20 plus years, and yet he never complained.”

In preparation for the wake and funeral, church members sorted through their family pictures and made collages of Father Kerrigan with their families at the important moments of their lives: weddings, baptisms and confirmations.

“He was a big influence on my decision to convert and become ordained,” Deacon Brian Stidsen said. “It was my exposure to him and St. Patrick’s while we were raising our kids, and his shepherding was what brought me around.”

“He was always the first to say hello,” Mr. Gemme said. “He was one of the most likable and personable people. He was not a showy priest at all, but very simple.”

Mr. Gemme also said that Father Kerrigan rarely told people what to do, choosing instead to ask. “You couldn’t help but want to do something for him.

“Administering the sacraments was very important to him. If there was a funeral on his day off, he would change his day off. If someone wanted to come and make a confession, then he would say ‘Let’s do it right now.’ ” Mr. Gemme said. “He would drop everything to serve the people — they came first.”

Thomas Olson, who had been president of the parish council until recently, called Father Kerrigan “a priest’s priest.”

“He was compassionate, caring and nonjudgmental,” Mr. Olson said. “He offered support and encouragement to everyone. This is a huge loss for St. Patrick’s.”

Mr. Olson said that part of Father Kerrigan’s legacy is the parish hall that was built in the 1990s.

“It was a huge undertaking, and he was very proud of it,” Mr. Olson said. “It’s used for CCD classes, conferences and for social events.”

Father Kerrigan’s open-door policy also set him apart from other priests.

“He never locked the doors to the church,” Mr. Olson said. “If someone wanted to come in and pray and be alone with God, the door was open. At 10 o’clock in the morning, and 10 p.m. at night — the doors were always open.”

Father Kerrigan was a Worcester native and graduate of St. Peter’s High School in Worcester, Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Providence and St. John’s Seminary in Brighton.

Monsignor Sullivan said the diocese has not yet determined when a replacement priest will be installed at the parish.